Erika Hearn, or Nanna to us, was born in Germany in Marienberg now Poland. Her father was a chemist and had his own shop. Erika was the youngest of three siblings. The wonderful stories she told us about her childhood we still recall and tell our children today. Nanna’s carefree childhood came to an abrupt end at 21 when war was coming and her parents and sister went to Brazil to try to escape persecution. She used to tell us the story that she left Germany the day before war was declared when finally she had a permit to leave. Erika had a job working as a maid in a large house. When Erika travelled by boat to Harwich without any money a kind gentle man gave her ten shillings. Erika always had wanted to know who this kind man was to say thank you. Erika worked at the house as a maid learning as she went on to speak English, cook and live in England, as well as experiencing the traumas of war.
Erika talked fondly about how, on her one day off, she would go to Lyons corner for tea and cake. In fact this is where she met her loving husband Erwin. Nanna and Grandad worked hard and went on to have a successful laundry business. They had one daughter, our mother, Sandra. Erika also spent many years working with children who were visually impaired in a school. She also cared for her mother who after the war came over from Brazil to live in England. Erwin sadly died in 1979 which left Erika heart broken.
Erika lived in London until the 1980s when she moved to Norwich to be close to her daughter and family. Erika enjoyed spending time with the family. She used to do so much with us that the memories are endless but a very significant event we did together was when she and I travelled to Brazil to meet her brother 40 years after the end of war. This was a truly amazing thing to do. I will always be grateful for the many things Nanna told me, shared with me and experienced with me. Her delight and joy at having great grandchildren was immense and would like nothing better than seeing them and spoiling them. Her distinctive dimples on her cheeks we all inherited so as we all smile her smile shines through. In recent years Erika has been living at Oakwood house which over time she saw as her home. She enjoyed the activities, such as cards, always being competitive and she loved feeding the birds. Erika was a very determined lady and her approach to life we try to embrace in everything we do and feel very grateful for such a wonderful Nanna.
Michelle and Sharon